Republican Reactions to the Same-Sex Marriage Decision Range from Furious to Defeated

As the fight for marriage equality ends, the war against religious freedom begins (apparently).

This morning, the Supreme Court ruled that denying same-sex couples the right to marriage was unconstitutional. Streets flooded with celebration. Twitter exploded with the same. The world was ready (so ready that, in less than an hour, famous facades found themselves draped with rainbow flags).

Not everyone was happy. In fact, many Republican dissenters, those that vowed to "protect" the sanctity of marriage, were livid. Here are just a few of the statements blasting from the GOP's loudest noisemakers:

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Mike Huckabee, Former Governor of Arkansas and Presidential Candidate

"The Supreme Court has spoken with a very divided voice on something only the Supreme Being can do-redefine marriage. I will not acquiesce to an imperial court any more than our Founders acquiesced to an imperial British monarch. We must resist and reject judicial tyranny, not retreat. This ruling is not about marriage equality, it's about marriage redefinition. This irrational, unconstitutional rejection of the expressed will of the people in over 30 states will prove to be one of the court's most disastrous decisions, and they have had many. The only outcome worse than this flawed, failed decision would be for the President and Congress, two co-equal branches of government, to surrender in the face of this out-of-control act of unconstitutional, judicial tyranny."

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Donald Trump, Rich Guy and Presidential Candidate

"Once again the Bush appointed Supreme Court Justice John Roberts has let us down. Jeb pushed him hard! Remember!"

Rick Santorum, Senator from Pennsylvania and Presidential Candidate

"Today, five unelected justices decided to redefine the foundational unit that binds together out society without public debate or input. Now is the people's opportunity to respond because the future of the institution of marriage is too important to not have a public debate … As President, I will be committed to using the bully pulpit of the White House to lead a national discussion on the importance to our economy and our culture of mothers and fathers entering into healthy marriages so that every child is given their birthright—to be raised by their mother and father in a stable, loving home. I will stand for the preservation of religious liberties and conscience, to believe what you are called to believe from persecution. And I will ensure that the people will have a voice in decisions that impact the rock upon which our civilization is built."

Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin and Presidential Candidate

I believe this Supreme Court decision is a grave mistake … In 2006, I, like millions of Americans, voted to amend our state constitution to protect the institution of marriage from exactly this type of judicial activism."

Rick Perry, Former Governor of Texas and Presidential Candidate

"I am disappointed the Supreme Court today chose to change the centuries-old definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. I'm a firm believer in traditional marriage, and I also believe the 10th Amendment leaves it to each state to decide this issue. I fundamentally disagree with the court rewriting the law and assaulting the 10th Amendment. Our founding fathers did not intend for the judicial branch to legislate from the bench, and as president, I would appoint strict Constitutional conservatives who will apply the law as written."

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Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey

"I agree with the dissent that Chief Justice Roberts authored today."

Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana and Presidential Candidate

"The Supreme Court decision today conveinently and not surprisingly follows public opinion polls and tramples on states' rights that were once protected by the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. Marriage between a man and a woman was established by God, and no earthly court can alter that. This decision will pave the way for an all out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree with this decision. The ruling must not be used to pretext by Washington or erode our right to religious liberty."

And during a speech in Iowa: The Supreme Court is completely out of control, making laws on their own, and has become a public opinion poll instead of a judicial body. If we want to save some money let's just get rid of the court."

Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee Chairman

"Today's ruling cannot and must not be used to coerce a church or religious institution into performing marriages that their faith does not recognize."

Gregg Abbott, Governor of Texas

"Marriage was defined by God. No man can redefine it. We will defend our religious liberties"

Tim Huelskamp, Congressman from Kansas

SCOTUS imposes its radical views on entirety of America, attempts to marginalize 50 million American votes who support marriage. This is nothing more than a constitutional convention by an unelected committee of five. SCOTUS claims that the authors of the 14th Amendment violated the 14th Amendment.

Dan Coats, Senator from Indiana

Decisions of faith are the most personal and precious we make in this lifetime. Guided by my Christian faith, I believe that marriage is a solemn covenant made between a man and a woman before God ... Now that the Supreme Court has imposed its own definition of marriage, we must ensure that religious freedom is protected across America. Established in our nation's founding days and sustained for over 200 years, religious liberty is at the very core of our system of government and our way of life. All people of all faiths must have the right to exercise their faith within the bounds of our justice system.

The Republican party avoided a complete meltdown with a few... gentler responses.

Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida and Presidential Candidate

"Guided by my faith, I believe in traditional marriage. I believe the Supreme Court should have allowed the states to make this decision. I also believe that we should love our neighbor and respect others, including those making lifetime commitments. In a country as diverse as ours, good people who have opposing views should be able to live side by side. It is now crucial that as a country we protect religious freedom and the right of conscience and also not discriminate."

Ben Carson, Presidential Candidate

"While I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court's decision, their ruling is now the law of the land."

Lindsey Graham, Senator from South Carolina and Presidential Candidate

"I am a proud defender of traditional marriage and believe the people of each state should have the right to determine their marriage laws. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that state bans on gay marriage are unconstitutional, and I will respect the Court's decision. Furthermore, given the quickly changing tide of public opinion on this issue, I do not believe that an attempt to amend the U.S. Constitution could possibly gain the support of three-fourths of the states or a supermajority in the U.S. Congress."

Marco Rubio, Senator from Florida and Presidential Candidate

"I believe that marriage, as the key to strong family life, is the most important institution in our society and should be between one man and one woman … This decision short-circuits the political process that has been underway on the state level for years. While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic and must abide by the law."